Combined amphibious boat dock, house and carrier



Nov. 27, 1962 -w. J. ROUDABUSH COMBINED AMPHIBIOUS BOAT DOCK, HOUSE AND CARRIER 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 8. 1960 INVENTOR. WILLIAM J AouoAausH M ATTORNEY Nov. 27, 1962 w. J. RQUDABUSH 3,

COMBINED AMPHIBIOUS BOAT DOCK, HOUSE AND CARRIER Filed July 8, 1960 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR. WILL/A M J. Baum BUSH A TTORNEV Nov. 27, 1962 W. J- ROUDABUSH COMBINED AMPHIBIOUS BOAT DOCK, HOUSE AND CARRIER Filed July 8, 1960 3 SheetsSheet 3 74 L j L j 66 /36 L2 /32 F G. 6 I126 1930 /44 FIG? IN VEN TOR. WILL IAM J kouoABl/sh' BYM/W ATTORNEY United States Patent 'Ofiice 3,065,7Zl Patented Nov. 27, 1962 3,665,721 COMBINED AMPHIBIOUS BOAT DOCK, HOUSE AND CAREER William J. Roudabush, East Grange, NJ. Filed July 8, 1960, Ser. No. 41,685 1 Claim. (Cl. 114-.5)

The present invention relates to a combined amphibious boat dock, boat house and boat carrier. It is an object of the present invention to provide a combined amphibiou boat dock, boat house and boat carrier of highly novel and efficient construction which can be manufactured and sold at a relatively low price.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a structure of the described type having a predetermined widthwise dimension during use as a boat dock and boat house and which can be substantially reduced in widthwise dimensions for transportation of the boat over highways or for storage in a garage or the like.

It is another object of the present invention to obviate the need for separate structures to provide for docking, housing and transportation of a boat.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a pier and boat house into which a boat may be easily propelled and on which the boat can be lifted to different predetermined heights above the water and locked in predetermined position.

Other and further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to one skilled in the art from reading the following specification in connection with the annexed drawings.

In the drawings which illustrate the best mode presentlv contemplated for carrying out the invention:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a structure pursuant to the present invention in use as a combined pier or dock and boat house;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the structure in use as a boat carrier or trailer;

FIG. 3 is atop plan view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an end view taken in the direction of arrow 4 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a more or less schematic view of the boat lift means;

FIG. 6 is a detail view, on an enlarged scale, showing a brake-lock device, with cover removed, in inoperative condition; and

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 with the brake-lock device in operative condition.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, there is shown a structure 10, pursuant to the present invention, which constitutes a pier or dock, a boat house and a trailer or carrier for a boat 12, or the like. The structure 10 comprises a horizontal U-shaped frame 14 (FIG. 3) constituted by a pair of laterally spaced arms 16-16 interconnected at one end thereof by a preferably integral base or bight 18 and open at the other end thereof, as best shown in FIGS. 1 and 4. A first vertical U-shaped frame 20 is mounted in inverted relation at the open end of the horizontal frame. More specifically, the free ends of the opposing arms 22-22 are suitably secured to the free ends of arms 16-16 and extend upwardly therefrom. A second vertical U-shaped frame 24, is mounted in inverted relation at the closed end of the horizontal frame. More specifically, the free ends of the opposing arms 2626 of frame 24 are suitably secured substantially at the junction of each arm 16 with the bight 18. The bight 28 of frame 20 is interconnected with the bight 30, of frame 24, as here shown, by the struts 32, 34 and 36 to which a canvas cover or tarpaulin, or the like, may be secured as a roof for the structure. However, in lieu of the struts and canvas cover, a solid roof may interconnect the vertical frames 20 and 24. The three frames 14, 20 and 24, and the interconnecting means 32, 34 and 36, constitute the framework for the structure 10 and are preferably formed of a suitable light weight, rustproof material, such as aluminum, or the like. It will be understood that the base 18 of frame 14 serves as a fixed platform at one end of the structure 10.

A pair of movable horizontal platforms 38 and 40, which are coextensive with the longitudinal extent of horizontal frame 14, are hinged, as at 42, to the horizontal frame for movement between the raised position thereof shown in FIG. 2 and the lowered positions thereof shown in FIG. 1. A pair of laterally spaced vertical plates 42 and 44 are rigidly mounted, as at 45, at the outer trans- Verse edge 46 of the rigid walkway 18 and define an entrance 48 therebetween. A gate 50 is hinged, as at 52, to plate 42 and a gate 54 is similarly hinged, as at 56, to the vertical plate 44, whereby said gates are movable from a closed or folded position shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 in the case of gate 54, to an open position shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 in the case of gate 50. Similar gates 58 and 60 are provided at the other end of the structure 10, being I hinged, as at 62, to the frame arch 20, as best shown in FIG. 4, for similar movement between an open position shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 and a closed or folded position shown in FIG. 2. In the open position thereof said gates serve to support walkways 38 and 40 at each of the opposite ends of the latter. In this connection it will be understood that all of the gates are provided with suitable locking devices 64, as best shown in FIG. 4, to releasably lock the underlying edge of the adjacent walkway to the associated gate so as to releasably secure and support the walkways in the extended or open positions of the gates and walkways.

The structure 10 is rendered buoyant in the water through the provision of quarter-cylinder hollow pontoons 66. Each pontoon is secured to a trap door 68 which is hinged, as at 70, on a foldable walkway. As here shown, each of the walkways 38 and 40 is provided withtwo hinged trapdoors each of which overlies a cut-out (not shown) in the walkway which accommodates the pontoon. Each trap door is provided with a stop or detent 72 which overlies the associated walkway. In the lowered or open position of the walkways, the pontoons are in the full line position thereof shown in FIG. 4 for immersion in the water. When the walkways are raised the pontoons are in an intermediateposition 66A from which they can readily be manually moved into the position 66B thereof between the spaced arms 16 of horizontal frame 14, so as to substantially reduce the Widthwise dimension of the structure 10 for transportation or storage. The pontoons are provided with detents 67' to retain them in position 66B.

Walkway 38 is provided with apertures 74 for receiving removable posts 76 for supporting removable rope bannisters 78 which may be strung between the gates 50 and 58 along the outer edge of the walkway 38. Additional apertures 74 may be provided in the adjacent frame arm 16 for additional posts 76 to provide hand grips or the like to facilitate entry and exit from the boat 12 floating in the structure within the arms of frame 14. Walkway 40 may be provided also with apertures 74 and posts 76 and would be provided with a rope bannister 78 preferably at the inner longitudinal edge of the walkway, the latter serving as a pier or dock to which visitors may moor their boats and climb onto the structure.

In order to permit for overland transport of the structure, the latter is provided with a front trailer assembly 82 of conventional construction which is mounted on the undersurface of the base or bight 18 of horizontal frame 14. The assembly comprises the pivotal front wheels 8484 and a front trailer hitch 86 by means of which the *1) structure can be pulled by an automobile or truck. Fixed rear wheels 88 are mounted adjacent the free ends of arms 16 of frame 14.

When the structure is moored or anchored in the water, the boat 12 enters or leaves the latter through the frame 20. The latter is provided with an anti-spread device 90 to prevent damage to the structure during storms or the like. Device 90 is a U-shaped member formed of a suitable strong metal which is hinged, as at 92, to the free ends of arms 22 of frame 20. When the structure is in the water, the device 90 is in its lower position, shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 so as to provide clearance for the boat 80. When the structure 10 is out of the water, the device 90 is pivoted upwardly to abut against the frame 22 and suitably secured thereagainst.

When the structure is in the water, a gangplank would extend from the land to the entrance 48. A protective shield 94 is secured to the lower portion of frame 24 opposite the entrance 48. Above the shield 94, the frame 24 mounts a transverse support 96 and a vertical support 98 is secured between the top of the frame and the transverse support. Support 98 mounts a conventional winch 100, which may be either manually or electrically operable, and a brake-lock mechanism 102 utilized in lowering and raising 'boat 18 to and from the water. More specifically, the central strut or rafter 34 mounts four pulleys 104, 106, 108 and 110, as schematically shown in FIG. 5. A main lift cable or rope 112 extends from the winch 100' and through the brake-lock 102, through the support 98 and over front pulley 104. The lift cable 112 is coupled, as at 113, to a rear end cable 115 which passes over rear pulley 110 and terminates in a hook 114 which is suitably hooked to the rear end of the boat. A third cable or rope 116 is provided with a hook 118 adapted to suitably hook onto the front end of the boat 12. From the hooked end thereof the cable 116 passes over the second pulley 106 adjacent to pulley 104 and around the third pulley 108, between pulleys 106 and 110, and is tied to the cable coupler 113 whereby the winch 100 need only operate the single cable 112 to raise or lower the boat. It will be apparent that when the winch pulls in cable 112 both hooks 114 and 118 are raised to raise the boat and, conversely, when the winch pays out cable 112, both hooks are lowered with the boat 12.

The brake lock 102 permits the boat 12 to be retained and locked in any position between the rafter 34 and the water. As here shown, brake lock 102 comprises a casing 120 from which the cover (not shown) has been removed for purposes of illustration. An opening 122 is provided through the casing for the main lift cable 112. The casing is provided with a first fixed block 124 formed of a suitable material and provided with an ogee surface 126 to which there is secured a brake lining 128 which assumes the ogee formation. A second block 130 is slidably movable in the casing, as shown by arrows 132, and 18 also provided with an ogee edge surface 134 which confronts surface 126. Surface 134 is provided also with a brake lining 136 which assumes the ogee formation. Cable 122 passes between the brake linings. Any suitable means may be used to move block 130 toward block 124. As here shown provision is made for an eccentric cam 138 which is pivoted as at 140. The cam is provided with a handle 141 which projects from the casing to eifect rotation of the cam. When cam 138 is operated to urge block 130 toward block 124, the cable 112 is forced toward block 124 and assumes the ogee conformation shown in FIG. 7 whereby the cable is braked against movement through the brake 102. The brake may be locked in its operating position, shown in FIG. 7, by inserting a lock through the complementary openings 142 and 144 in the handle and the casing, it being understood that a similar opening is provided in the casing cover. When the handle is operated to release the cam, the weight of the boat will cause the cable 112 to straighten out, the block 130 moving away from the block 124.

The operations of structure 10 will be apparent from the foregoing description. When floating and moored in the water, the anti-spread device and the foldable walkways 38 and 40 are all lowered as shown in FIG. 1 and the boat 12 may readily enter or depart through the frame 20. When not in use, the boat may be raised, as shown in FIG. 1, or it may remain floating in the water and, in the latter case, the device 90 may be raised and suitably locked to retain the boat within the structure 10, serving as a boat house. Other boats may be secured to the walkways, especially to the visitors walkway 40, so that the structure 10 also serves as a pier or dock. When the boat is to be removed from the water for transportation or storage, the boat is raised and device 90 and walkways 38 and 40 are closed and secured in positions as shown in FIG. 2, with pontoons 66 in position 6613, under the raised boat 12, as shown in FIG. 4.

Although I have disclosed a specific constructional embodiment of the invention, it is obvious that changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as defined in the appended claim.

I claim:

A combined boat house pier and trailer structure comprising a framework having a horizontal frame open at one end thereof, a first inverted vertical U-frame at the open end of said horizontal frame and a second inverted vertical U-frame at the closed end of said horizontal frame, means interconnecting the closed ends of said U- frames, means for suspending a boat from said interconnecting means, foldable walkways at the opposite sides of said frame work, float means provided on said walkways, and Wheel means provided on said framework, said float means being quarter cylinder pontoons, said pontoons being movably mounted on said walkways and movable into a position underlying a suspended boat in folded condition of said walkways. 

